Tango-cancion ¡Atenti, pebeta! – Careful, babe! is an affectionate advice given by a knowledgeable fellow – the “zorro viejo” – “old fox” – to a young girl coming to the big city from the countryside. The lyrics are one of the most humorous texts around, written almost entirely in slang. It paints a picture of the bustling Buenos Aires life in the 20’s, with rich guys and playboys girls should be aware of, and the best way for a smart girl to suceed: play dumb, dress and act like a nun but pack a gun…

When you’re on the sidewalk and a bigwig gawks at you,
play stupid and don’t give him any notice;
Don’t let him figure out that you fall easy on the first try
and that at the sight of a pair of ironed trousers you give in.

When you come downtown walk looking down,
drag your shoes and stay close to the wall
as if you didn’t have any wit and needed no comfort,
otherwise the fools will think you had gone bad.

If you see gloved hands, vanish fast!
or a pair of gaiters, vanish as well!
To an overcoat with fourteen buttonholes
don’t pay any attention, just get lost!
To those thin mustaches like fourteen dashes
that look more like a fishing line…
Careful, babe! – follow my advice:
I’m an old fox and I wish you well.

Lower your hem to your ankle,
let your hair grow and make it into a bun,
buy an iron corset with rivets and screws
and forget about powder, cream or lipstick.

Drink milk with vanilla or chocolate fritters,
even when it’s really time for cocktails
Then buy a gun and to the first sucker you catch,
on acocunt of distressed love make him lose his health.